Holiday Spice & Everything Nice

by Conn, Claudy

  “I can rest here just fine.” Arlene patted Sasha's back. “We'll be fine.”

  “Call me if anything changes?”

  “Of course.”

  Sasha stood by her father's bed. His eyes were closed, and he looked peaceful. His adventure tonight must have wore him out. “I'm going to do what I can for you, Daddy,” she whispered, then kissed his cheek. Tears were in her eyes when Sasha turned to face Kevin.

  He had to do something for her, but what?

  *****

  The empty apartment haunted Sasha. On a normal night, she'd walk in and it would look this empty because Dad and Arlene were sleeping, but she knew they weren't here.

  She tossed her purse and the papers on the coffee table, not ready to look at them yet. This moment had been coming for a long time, but tonight reaffirmed everything she already knew.

  Dad couldn't stay here under her care anymore. It was too much. The daunting task of finding a place, getting it paid for, and getting Dad comfortable and settled loomed. She wasn't looking forward to it.

  “Is there anything I can do?” Kevin's voice startled her. She'd forgotten he walked her to the door.

  Give me a redo of that kiss earlier.

  Whoa! Brakes! Why did that have to be her first thought to his question? The kiss was amazing. Kevin was frankly the best thing to happen to her in the longest time, and there was nothing going on between them. Well, prior to that kiss and his admission. But every time Sasha was around him, she kept thinking things that weren't meant to be thought about. She had her life to sort out, and he had movies to make.

  Nothing wrong with a little fling.

  Her sex life could use a little action. Well, a lot of action, but who was counting?

  “Sasha?” he inquired, stepping closer. His hand brushed hers, and sparks flowed through her.

  She couldn't answer him. The room tilted and spun. Sasha's world went dark.

  Chapter Eleven

  Her head throbbed. Sasha wondered if she was having a hangover, but that didn't make sense. She had no alcohol last night. Just hours of dancing close to Kevin, and that kiss. Had he come home with her? Why did everything feel so foggy? Her eyelids were heavy with sleep, and it hurt to open her eyes. The light pouring in from her bedroom window hurt.

  It came crashing down on her seconds later. Her father had been missing for a few hours. She'd come home and the last thing she remembered was how empty the apartment seemed.

  Why couldn't she recall the rest of the night? Hell, she didn't remember crawling into bed, but that's exactly where she was, curled up under her blankets.

  Sounds of clatter from the kitchen startled her to full alert mode. Had Arlene come back? Sasha flew out of bed, still in her clothes from last night. She searched for her phone, but didn't find it. Forget the phone. She headed toward the kitchen to see what the commotion was about and stopped short.

  Kevin stood in her kitchen, his back turned to her as he cooked something on the stove.

  Had he stayed all night? Where? Why? Did they do anything? God, she hoped not. Sasha wanted to remember every little detail if she'd spent a night in Kevin's arms, and she couldn't recall anything.

  So why was he here?

  “What happened last night?” she finally managed to ask.

  Kevin turned, spatula in hand and a surprised look on his face. “You passed out. I think you were in overload, so I put you to bed and went to sleep on your couch, in case you needed anything.”

  Oh. So they hadn't been together. Good. That meant if she got the chance, she'd be able to remember it. Sasha shook her head at her trail of thoughts. It had to be the pressure of everything else getting to her. Why else would she keep thinking about Kevin and sex over the more important factors in her life?

  “Now I'm making you breakfast. I promise I'm a decent cook.” He cracked a smile.

  Sasha entered the kitchen and sank onto a chair. “This is like a movie. Me waking up to breakfast made by a hot man.”

  “Hot, huh? I knew it.” He tossed another grin her way before paying attention to the stove.

  “Don't let it go to your big head. I'm sure you have plenty of women fall at your feet.”

  “You have no idea,” Kevin muttered. “But the difference is, you don't care about my celebrity status or anything else.”

  “Are you implying that I'm falling at your feet?” She laughed, taking in his response.

  “Well, you kinda did last night.” That wry grin, she wanted to kiss it, then smack his face. Or vice versa. “Sorry. Was that insensitive?”

  She chuckled. “No, it made me laugh. I'm still waking up. What time is it?”

  “Nine.” Kevin checked his watch.

  “Really? Wow! I wonder why I haven't had any calls!” She shot to her feet, almost succumbing to dizziness again.

  “I called Arlene an hour ago. Your dad is doing better. He's hydrated, and they'll let him go today. I said I'd bring you by in a few hours.” Kevin scooped up something and put it on a plate. “I hope you like pancakes. I found the mix in your fridge, but I guess it could easily be your dad's or Arlene's.”

  “I eat them. Thank you.” Kevin set the plate down in front of her. Then he brought over a glass of orange juice and the syrup from the fridge. Before digging in, Sasha eyed Kevin wearing an apron, his hair a mess. This was a sight she enjoyed seeing. “Can I take a picture of you and beg you to use it for a movie poster?”

  “What do you want to call the movie? Domesticated Man? I played a similar role, so I've got it down pat.”

  He struck a pose, holding the carton of juice in one hand and the spatula in the other.

  Laughing, she poked him in the belly. “I don't have my camera right now, but I love the look.”

  He reeled back, pretending to be affected by her small poke. “I'll give you my phone then. Take a photo, and I'll send it to you.”

  “No, I was kidding.” She gestured. “Are you eating, too?”

  “I was thinking about it.”

  “Join me? Or do you have to go home?”

  “I don't have to go anywhere. I'm all yours for as long as you want.”

  “Oh she wanted, in many different ways.

  Heat rushed to her cheeks. Somehow, Sasha had to gain control of her thoughts about him.

  *****

  After breakfast, Sasha wanted to head to the hospital. Kevin figured he'd probably take off and give her some time to do what she needed to.

  She lingered with her keys and purse in hand. “I know if I go, I'll have to move forward with figuring out the next step for Dad's care,” she whispered, her eyes full of fear and worry.

  He wanted to do something for her so bad. Whisk her away from Willow Moss and their ways of being stuck in the past. Find a place for her father to get the best care possible, then help bring her dreams to life.

  How could he do that?

  Maybe Jack had a few ideas. He'd have to call him later. He should check in, anyway. Other than a few nasty texts from Marianne, he hadn't heard much about his Scrooge title lately. Well, probably due to the fact that he ignored anything else but his family and Sasha, so it was high time he caught himself up on the latest.

  “If you end up going to check a few places out in the next few weeks, I'll go with,” he offered. “Someone should be there to check for monsters under the bed.”

  Sasha laughed, then swatted him. “You don't do serious well, do you?”

  Kevin shrugged. “Honestly? Not really. I had enough serious growing up, so I guess I'm more sarcastic and playful now. I'll try to tone it down.”

  “Please don't. I didn't mean that in a bad way. I like not knowing what to expect from you.” She touched his arm, sending tingles all the way up.

  “You didn't think so at first,” he pointed out.

  “Yeah, I know. You gonna hold that against me forever?” she challenged, a smile lighting up her face.

  He stared at her. The way her lips quirked up at the corners drove him wild.
“Nah. On one condition.” He held up a finger.

  Sasha cocked her head to the side. “What's that?”

  “Let me kiss you again.” He moved closer, zeroing in on her lips. “I'll hold you against me instead.”

  “Considering I haven't been able to get last night's kiss out of my mind, I think that's a condition I can meet.”

  He gently took her purse and keys from her to set them down, then snaked his arms around her. She smelled of maple syrup. “Wonder if the school would let me sneak you in to the library and kiss you in the back corner.”

  “The one I used to hide out in?” She blushed.

  “The very same one. You'd curl up on the ground with your backpack behind you, your legs tucked beneath you and your face buried in a book. Know how many close calls I had trying not to knock rows of books over because I was watching you?” Kevin slid his fingers through her fine hair, easily remembering those days.

  She shivered, staring directly in his eyes. “I still can't get over the fact that I had an admirer in high school and that it was you.”

  Kevin wiped away a drop of syrup with his thumb from the side of her jaw. “Bookworms are downright hot,” he whispered, kissing the spot he'd just touched. Working his way all along her jaw, Kevin managed to get a moan from Sasha before she grabbed his face and planted her lips on his. Needy little thing, and no, it wasn't a complaint.

  “Not as-” She managed a few words between kisses. “hot as movie stars.”

  He pulled back and laughed. “Great movie title. The Movie Star and the Bookworm.”

  Sasha snorted. “Cheesy! No way!”

  “Come on. Cheesy sells sometimes.”

  “I think I prefer to practice the kissing scenes. Forget the titles for now.” She grinned, cupping his face again. Sasha pressed her body close. Her breasts pressed up against him, and Kevin's ache for her grew. She parted her lips slightly, and he dove in for another tantalizing, hot kiss. She wanted this just as much as he did. Her kisses were full of fire, lighting a torch to full flame within him. If they didn't have somewhere to be right now, he'd take her to bed and stay there all day- naked- under the covers, and wrapped up in each other.

  His erection strained against his pants. They either needed to stop now, or-

  Kevin broke the kiss, cursing himself, and knew she'd probably be cursing him, too. “Sasha, you can't use me as your distraction.” He wasn't sure what would come out of his mouth, but that surprised him. He'd never meant to put it that way.

  Her cheeks flared red. “I know. I never meant to do it that way. I do want to kiss you- and other things, but you're right. I was using it as a distraction.” She pulled away, but Kevin stopped her. “But just for the record, you wanted another kiss. It was you who started this.” Her tone wasn't accusing or angry. And it was true. He had started this.

  “I want to do 'other things' too,” he said softly, planting another kiss on her lips. “Can't you tell?” He gestured at the bulge in his pants. Damn his good intentions.

  “Why does this always happen when I have so much going on in my life?”

  Kevin didn't think she meant to say that out loud, but he knew the feeling. He never expected to come back and connect with the quiet girl who'd caught his eye in high school. He had so much going on as well. But every time he was with Sasha, he forgot about those things. Hell, he even felt normal again.

  “Do you want some company? Not that I'm trying to invite myself along on purpose, but if you had someone to be there while you go through this, maybe it'll be easier,” he offered.

  Relief immediately flashed across her face. “I'd love that, but I don't want to keep you from your family.”

  “Hey, I'm here for the required times. I've told you this before. Marly Jean isn't going to miss me unless I've missed one of her events. My dad would just talk more about what a disappointment I am, and my mother looks right past me. You'd be doing me a favor, too.” He'd tried for so long to squash the hurt he carried over his family's lack of attention toward him unless they wanted something. Sasha commented to him about never being serious, and Kevin knew it stemmed from that life. He didn't fit with them, and he'd always known that. Even in adulthood, he didn't feel like he had a place there. He was the black sheep, the oddball, the one they weren't proud of.

  Kevin made a note to call Jack today to see what he could do to help Sasha because damn it, she mattered a lot. More than he cared to admit.

  Chapter Twelve

  Dad looked much better today. When Sasha and Kevin walked into the room, he'd glanced at her. She thought there was a spark of recognition, but if he actually knew it was her, Dad didn't say. Arlene informed Sasha that they were waiting on discharge papers and that the doctors really wanted to talk to her before they let Dad go this morning.

  Yeah, she knew what they wanted to talk about. It was past time. Changes were coming.

  Forty-five minutes after arriving, a doctor finally entered the room. Sasha watched him like a hawk when he checked over her father. When he was done, he gestured for her to come out of the room.

  Stomach in knots, she followed.

  “This is only a suggestion, but I strongly advise you to get your father in a facility. He's not getting better, Sasha.”

  “I know.” Her voice came out shaky and quiet.

  “If you can't afford it, there are programs to help. You and Arlene are going to wear yourselves down. Your father has been here several times this year because of things he's done.”

  “I know,” she repeated, feeling like a child who'd done something wrong. This should have happened months ago, but for goodness sake, this was her father!

  “Don't feel guilty about asking for help, okay? I'm going to discharge him, but seriously give some consideration.” Dr. Rich patted her arm. “Give me about a half hour to get the papers ready. You take it easy.” He walked away.

  Like clockwork, her phone rang, registering Jack's number. God, she was glad Kevin wasn't near her now. Sasha darted down a random hall before answering. “Hello?”

  “Great photos, and I've heard some things recently-”

  “I feel guilty about this!” She cut in, cringing at the loudness of her voice.

  “You took a few pictures. There's nothing to feel guilty for,” Jack tried to reassure her.

  Sasha sighed. “I probably shouldn't say this, but we're...kinda involved.”

  A heavy, tense silence fell over the line.

  “Is it serious?” Jack asked. “He's been through a lot.”

  How the hell did she answer this? “I don't know. It's a little too early to say yes, but it's also too early to say no. He's been here for some pretty deep stuff in my life.”

  “I know. I heard about your father, and how Kevin was right there to help.”

  Queasiness made her search for a bathroom. “You're not going to try to use that for his image restoration, are you?” How had he heard this unless Kevin said something to him?

  “That's up to you. It would help him out, and it would help you.” Jack's tone was neutral.

  “Hollywood is full of sharks, isn't it?” She snapped, pushing open a bathroom door and making a beeline for a stall.

  “They can be. That's not my intention, Sasha. My concern is Kevin. I wouldn't do this for just anyone. He's a good man, and Marianne is trying to see fit that everyone thinks the opposite. There's more to the story that he doesn't want to let out, so I'm trying my best to make sure it happens that way.”

  “But in the meantime, to fix his image, it will exploit mine. My personal business,” she snapped. Someone in the stall next to her coughed. Great. She didn't even have the bathrooms to herself.

  The silence came back again. Sasha stood against the door, fighting her feelings.

  “If you want to be near Kevin, I can find a place out here for your father, and a school.”

  That was it? She bristled. “It's not even about that! I just don't want my life out in the open.”

  “It would be
if you dated Kevin,” he pointed out.

  And again, she was stuck.

  *****

  That afternoon, after getting Sasha's father settled in at home, Kevin left so they could have some time to themselves. When he arrived at home, no one was there. Strange to see a large house so empty, and he wondered where everyone was.

  He faced the inevitable and called Jack.

  “Hey, Scrooge.”

  “Seriously? Shut up with that. Not even funny. What's the latest on that shit, anyway?” Kevin flopped down on the recliner, not really wanting to know. But he had to.

  “Not much. Your latest activity with your friend has kinda made the rounds.”

  He sat up. “Sasha? Damn it! I don't want the media hounding her!”

  “Too late. You saved her life, plus you saved her father's. And apparently, you went somewhere with her that caught good publicity.”

  Huh?

  Oh, right! When they went to the at-risk place the other day out of town. How the hell did someone catch on to that? He was probably recognized more than he realized and someone took pictures. That was the only thing he could think of. Well, as long as no harm was done, whatever.

  “What's the deal with you two?” Jack inquired, cutting into his thoughts.

  “I've known her for years. I used to like her in high school,” Kevin told him.

  “Well, whatever you're doing with her, keep it up.”

  He planned on it, but not for Jack's reasonings. “Hey, speaking of Sasha...I need some advice. She's struggling. Her father has Alzheimer's and isn't doing well at home anymore. Sasha works one job that doesn't pay well. These places they want to get her father in are expensive, but Sasha won't take anyone's charity. Can you help me pull some strings?”

  Jack didn't say anything for the longest time. Did he hang up?

  “Jack?”

  “What kind of strings?” Why did he sound so odd? Kevin shrugged it off. He was probably caught off guard by the question.